4-1-1 Music News Minute(s) w/Todd Michaels – Week of July 30th

Billy Corgan has taken to Instagram with a wordy message denying his parentage of pop starTaylor Swift.The Smashing Pumpkins singer’s latest tirade was seemingly prompted by a look-alike meme comparing Corgan and Swift’s facial features. Over the course of two Instagram posts, Corgan rebuffs any paternal ties to Swift before delving into a deep rumination on identity. At one point, the musician says the person known as Billy Corgan is merely a construct of his own creation. “There is NO such person as ‘Billy Corgan,’” he writes. “He (BC) does not exist. Or, if he does exist (per these times), he is a creation from my mind to yours, and no different than a cartoon drawing of Batman or Sponge Bob.”

Greta Van Fleet announced why they did not be playing the New York City Panorama festival this past weekend.

“Danny has been playing with injured fingers for the past two weeks, and they have not been able to heal properly,” the band tweeted. “It has now reached the point where he cannot pick up a drumstick because of it. Therefore, there is no possible way for us to play.” Fleet Foxes, David Byrne, the XX, Odesza, and the Killers did perform, however.

The U.K. is officially off its rocker! The people of Manchester have started a Facebook campaign to reunite the members of Nirvana, except with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger as the grunge bands new vocalist. Facebook user “Be Reet” created the event, and so far almost 1,000 people are going and 2,600 are interested. “Nickelvana” is the supposed name of the parody reunion “tour,” according to the event’s creator. The supposed location of the reunion is at Nirvana Hair And Beauty Bar in Manchester Jan. 1, 2019. “Be Reet” jokingly announced that the event’s supporting acts are Puddle Of Mudd, Silverchair, and Bush.

Four classic albums from legendary Los Angeles punk bandX are now available on streaming platforms as part of a new distribution deal with Fat Possum Records. Formed in 1977 by vocalist and bassist John Doe and guitarist Billy Zoom, X rose to fame in the first wave of L.A.’s punk scene, helping establish the genre’s West Coast roots. The band reissued their debut single “Adult Books” in 2015 and continue to tour with their original lineup, including a number of upcoming dates withThe Psychedelic Furs .

Scottish “folktronica” favoritesThe Beta Band have announced a new 20th-anniversary reissue of their early Three EPs compilation. The reissue of their self-titled LP arrives September 14, with Hot Shots II coming November 16 and Heroes To Zeroes this December 14. A new exhibition titled “Zeroes To Heroes: The Beta Band Archive” is coming to the Bomb Factory in London this September.

Earlier this year,Weezerfinally caved to an internet campaign asking them to cover Toto’s 1983 hit “Africa,” but not without a fight. First, the band covered Toto’s lesser-known single “Rosanna,” releasing a proper studio recording of the track before eventually unveiling a cover of “Africa” as well. It seems that Toto already has a Weezer cover in the works. In an interview with Variety last month, band members state a cover of Weezer’s Hash Pipe is coming in the near future. “Now, wait until they hear our Weezer cover we just started recording and will be out in the next couple months. I dig them. I was never really aware of them outside their hits, but my kids hipped me to them They are really good, inventive and quirky, hooks for days. Thanks to Weezer for doing this. We’re thankful for the gift.”

Tom Morellohas announced a new album, titled The Atlas Underground, due out October 12. It features a broad spectrum of guests from across the worlds of rap and EDM, including Killer Mike, Big Boi, RZA, GZA, Bassnectar, Portugal The Man, Gary Clark Jr., Steve Aoki, and more.

The Mercury Prize has just announced the shortlist for this year’s awards. It includes a mix of mainstream stars like Noel Gallagher, Arctic Monkeys, and Florence And The Machine, alongside rockers like Wolf Alice and left-field acts including Richard Russell’s Everything is Recorded project.

Tom Delongehas confirmed that supergroupAngels & Airwaves will tour—and if that wasn’t enough, you can also hear a chunk of a new demo. Angels & Airwaves have been pretty quiet since the release of their We Don’t Need To Whisper acoustic EP last year. Now, a song clip has been posted to the band’s socials with the caption: “a @ToTheStarsInc production from our entertainment division of @TTSAcademy. #demo.”

Fall Out Boy have announced the release of a career-spanning vinyl box set that will include all seven of the band’s studio albums spread across 11 LPs. This lavish box set titled The Complete Studio Albums is set to be released September 28 via Island/DCD2/UMe and will span the band’s 15-year career, containing everything from Take This To Your Grave to M A N I A. The collection will also contain Save Rock And Roll (PAX-AM Edition) on 12-inch vinyl for the very first time.

Retail giant Target has issued an apology after somewhat imprudently adorning its new East Village location in a promotional facade reminiscent of legendary New York City punk rock club CBGB, as reported by The New York Times. Many apparently felt the sting of corporate cultural appropriation. Target erected an awning outside of the store on Thursday that read “TRGT – BANDS” in the recognizable style of the storied red-and-white “CBGB – OMFUG” awning. The retailer seemingly designed the display as a tribute to the departed Manhattan music venue. The original CBGB at Bowery and East 2nd Street hosted pioneering acts such as the Ramones andBlondiefrom 1973 until closing in the mid-2000s. And what was the “BANDS” portion of Target’s CBGB-themed promotional event? It apparently comprised only of “Target-branded Band-Aids and exercise bands” instead of any music or GBCB-related items. Unsurprisingly, the backlash was immediate.

Palaye Royale revealed the tracklist of their highly anticipated album, and they discussed their headlining tour plans. After months of teasing, more details of Boom Boom Room: Side B have been revealed. Palaye Royale is currently on the final run of the Vans Warped Tour. The band will also be doing an EU / UK headlining run and then a US headlining tour immediately after hitting cities in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Texas.